Synthesis of graphene nanoplatelets from palm-based waste chicken frying oil carbon feedstock by using catalytic chemical vapour deposition

Palm-based waste cooking oil (WCO) has shown good potential to be used as an alternative carbon feedstock for synthesizing graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Here, we demonstrate the growth of GNPs based on a catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CVD) process with different CVD growth temperatures. WCO and nickel oxide powder were directly used as catalyst powders, which is beneficial for graphene growth. Characterizations by Raman spectroscopy reveal a significant broad peak of the second order 2D band. Additionally, the sp2 carbon G band demonstrates a strong peak that is much higher than the 2D peak. This indicates the existence of multilayer GNPs. Meanwhile, the surface morphological results of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) verified the existence of GNPs, which was noticeable due to scattering of thin layer structures either in stacking or individual forms. Thermogravimetric analyser (TGA) analysis demonstrated that the thermal decomposition of as-grown GNPs presented significant thermal decomposition delays during degradation, higher thermal stabilities compared to the commercial GNPs. Thus, this work provides new insights into the use of palm based WCO as a potential carbon feedstock to produce graphene or any other carbon nanomaterials.